Many researchers and wildlife organizations are urging scientists to use this unprecedented time for a close examination of the…

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A pandemic of change?

Many researchers and wildlife organizations are urging scientists to use this unprecedented time for a close examination of the impact of human activity on the natural world. They argue that the information that researchers gather during this time could help improve conservation and biodiversity efforts.

It may also improve their ability to predict global environmental changes and potential cases of zoonoses, the transmission of disease from animals to humans. This could save millions of human lives, and economic losses, going forward.

Realistically, it will take years to assess exactly how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected wildlife, the environment, and the climate. Moreover, the impact of the pandemic on the natural world is unlikely to be linear. Research suggests that a reduction in some pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, may result in the rise of others, such as ozone.

Understanding how this pandemic has changed humans’ relationship with nature may be just as complex. But for now, these positive changes may be enough to give some people, and Mother Nature, the hope of a better future.

Avaiable from: <https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-covid-19-has-changed-the-face-of-the-natural-world#A-pandemic-of-change?> Access: 10 Oct. 2021. Adapted.